TWO-time Filipina boxing world champion Ana “The Hurricane” Julaton will box her way to become the undisputed world champion in her weight class this Sunday.
Julaton, who is under the guidance of Nonito Donaire Sr., currently holds the World Boxing Organization (WBO) super bantamweight and the IBA super bantamweight belts.
She began her amateur boxing career in 2004 and was ranked number six overall in the United States. And before she turned professional, she was the San Francisco Championship Gold Medalist and ranked number two in the US in 2007.
Julaton is staying in Ontario, Canada where her 10-round fight with Lisa "Bad News" Brown will take place on March 27 (March 28, Manila time).
The lady boxer said she's very excited and ready to enter the ring.
“I'm feeling very great, I'm very strong and excited. I'm in very good condition right now and ready to box,” she said.
She added that she will try to give a good fight on Sunday and finish the fight early.
When asked if there's pressure on her part especially now that everyone knows she's from the Manny Pacquiao country, Julaton said the pressure is there but on a positive side.
“Everyone is very supportive of me and I'm very thankful that the Filipino crowd is really rooting on me and I can see the Filipino spirit,” said Julaton.
“I'm very thankful because Filipinos are very open in women’s boxing,” she added.
Born and raised in San Francisco, California, the Julatons’ roots can be traced back in the province of Pangasinan.
Julaton said that after her fight, she definitely wanted to visit the Philippines and thanked everyone for the support and love they've shown her.
When asked on her trainings, she shared that she's doing really well and they were done with their homeworks and she's ready to fight.
“He's (Donaire Sr.) very very strict when it comes to training and I'm very fortunate to be under his guidance,” Julaton said.
Donaire meanwhile said that if all the boxers have the heart, character. and passion of an Ana Julaton, it will be a great boxing experience.
“Napaka sipag nya, kahit pagod na talagang pinipilit nya talaga at talagang nakikinig at laging gustong matuto,” he said of Julaton.
With a record of 6-1-1, Julaton will face Brown (16-4-3) on March 27 at the Casino Rama in Ontario Canada, which will be aired live on March 28, 3 to 4 p.m. over GMA 7 network. (Glaiza Jarloc/Sunnex)